The Doolough memorial

The Doolough memorial (also known as the Famine Walk Memorial ) in Ireland is an iconic site commemorating a historic tragedy. Located in County Mayo, near the village of Doolough, this memorial commemorates a dark event in Irish history closely linked to the Great Famine. This weathered cross pays homage to the 400 Irish dead who walked all night to reach British officials who were studying their poverty situation. A disaster that left an indelible mark on Ireland…

Visit the Doolough Memorial (or Famine Walk Memorial)

Context

On March 30, 1849, during the Great Famine in Ireland, hundreds of starving Irishmen walked a considerable distance to beg the British authorities for help.

They had heard about a food relief program in the Louisburgh area, a few miles from Doolough.

However, when they arrived, local officials refused them help and sent them away, asking them to go to another relief office in Delphi Lodge… located 20km away!

Weather conditions were appalling, with snowstorms and intense cold. Tragically, many people perished en route for lack of food, adequate clothing and warmth. An estimated 400 people perished: men, women and children, who died of exhaustion and malnutrition.

A memorial to remember the unacceptable

The Doolough Memorial commemorates this terrible day, when innocent lives were lost due to the negligence and recklessness of the British authorities.

Accessible to the public, it is one of the Doolough region’s tourist attractions.

The memorial itself consists of a weathered cross and a commemorative plaque. One is in English, the other in Irish, with poignant inscriptions recalling the tragedy and expressing solidarity with those who suffered and perished that day.

The Famine Walk Memorial is engraved with quotes from Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

Commemorate
The starving poor
who walked here in 1849
and travel the third world today

It also includes a quote from Gandhi:

How can men feel
Honored by humiliation
of their fellows

The emotionally-charged Doolough Memorial remains a place of remembrance and reflection, recalling the suffering endured by the Irish people during the Great Famine.

It advocates the importance of remembrance and remains a poignant reminder of the history and resilience of the Irish people.

Set in a majestic setting, the cross recalls both the beauty and ruggedness of the Irish landscape. Magnificent, they can also be difficult, especially at a time when travel is by foot and in all weathers.

Don’t hesitate to visit the site: it’s splendid and the memorial is a reminder of the dramatic stories that have unfolded here. A perfect place to learn more about Irish history and resilience.